There's a reason every good tailgate has a cornhole game going. It's easy to set up, anyone can jump in with a drink in one hand, and it gives the crowd something to do for the three hours before kickoff. Here's how to make yours the setup everyone wanders over to.
How much space you need
A regulation court puts the front edges of the boards 27 feet apart, and the boards themselves are 4 feet long. That's about 35 feet end to end, plus a few feet behind each board for throwers. Most parking-lot spots won't give you that, and that's fine.
- Two parking spaces deep: roughly 18 to 20 feet, which is a great tailgate distance.
- Grass lots: go the full 27 feet if you have it.
- Tight rows: shorten the distance rather than angling the boards toward traffic.
Want the full regulation specs? Our cornhole dimensions and rules guide has every measurement.
Tailgate setup tips
- Level the boards. Lots slope toward drains. A folded towel under one leg evens things out.
- Mind the bags. Pavement is rough on fabric. Toss on the boards, not the asphalt, and shake out grit before you pack up.
- Keep a lane clear. Point the court along the row of cars, not across a walkway.
- Bring a scorekeeper. A small whiteboard or a phone note settles arguments. Bags in the hole are 3, on the board is 1, first to 21 wins.
Boards that survive a season
Tailgate boards get loaded into trucks, set on pavement and played in drizzle. Thin or MDF boards don't last. Every Yard Pride set is built from 3/4" wood, UV printed and sealed with multiple coats of clear protection, with inlaid tops and no visible screws on the playing surface. They're made to take a full season of Saturdays and Sundays.
Make it your crew's set
Put your last name, your tailgate crew's name or your home state on the boards, and they become the thing people look for in the lot. A few ideas:
- Home state pride: the State of Wisconsin set on natural wood grain.
- Patriotic: an American flag set with your last name.
- Your colors: a two-tone set with a color triangle in your school colors and your crew's logo or artwork.
A gift for the tailgater in your life
If someone on your list spends every fall weekend in a stadium lot, a personalized set is the gift they'll use every single week. Sets ship free in the lower 48 in 2 to 7 business days. Want to see it first? Add a digital mockup to your order and we'll send you a preview before we print. Shop our best sellers.
